It took us until mid-afternoon to reach the she-witch's land, Richard dismounted his horse slowly, his eyes watching the shadows of the trees, I recognized where we were, it was close to the edge of Dark Canyon. This was where we met Shota once before, when she threatened to push me over the edge to what I thought was my death. My instincts told me they should not be here, especially to seek aid from what Zed himself had called a She-Devil, I remained close to Kahlan as useless as it may have been.
"Richard" Kahlan begun making him turn to face her "You know I will go with you, but I implore you to think this through, she cannot be trusted"
"That's not a very nice thing to say about your host"
The voice caused everyone to turn, and there she was dressed in the ratty red dress she had been wearing last I saw her, Shota continued
"And what do I owe the pleasure of your company, the last I saw you all I was going to kill the Andolian"
And I could have sworn in that moment her eyes flickered to me before returning to Richard, I stepped forward slightly watching the witch curiously as she spoke with Richard
"I assume you have heard about Zed" Richard began, keeping a steady gaze on Shota, his hand clasp around the hilt of the sword of truth
"Yes, I felt his presence fade as soon as it happened, was it the Andolian?"
Again her gaze flickered to me, this time I was certain, I walked straight up to her, ignoring Richard's answer I spoke to Shota
"You can see me" when she didn't acknowledge me "Do not deny it She-Devil, I can see it in your eyes, so if you can see me then you can hear me"
It was obvious that she was trying to ignore me, I went to grasp her arm, force her attention on me but like the others my touch did nothing but glide through her. Richard still spoke to her but I did not care, she could see me, she could tell Kahlan I was here
"Shota tell them I'm here" nothing "TELL HER I'M HERE!" I yelled, this time Shota flinched waving her fingers, I felt a strong gust of wind as I was blown back 20 paces through trees, nothing else was disturbed but me.
I leapt to my feet and returned to their clearing, catching what was being said
"I seek advice from a powerful sorceress, I need a way to defeat Darken Rahl, now Zed's gone I seek guidance"
Shota smiled "And you came to me, what would Zed say"
"He can say nothing, he is dead, the Andolian saw to that" Richard snapped,
Shota turned away from them, she glanced at me "Well the dead should stay dead" she muttered "I will show you a prophecy Seeker you can take from it what you will" she looked at Kahlan "It will have to be done alone"
"Richard…" Kahlan began
"I'll do it" Richard interjected firmly, sheathing his sword and following as Shota lead the way, leaving Kahlan alone in the clearing with the horses.
After a moment of deliberation I followed the witch, looking for answers.
She lead Richard to a small pond surrounded by beautiful willows, Shota stopped by the edge looking in
"You will have to immerse yourself in the water and allow yourself to be taken by the vision, it will show you what you desire Seeker" she said matter of factly. Richard removed his shirt but kept the sword of truth firmly strapped to his side, with one look at the witch he stepped into the water, from his expression it must have been freezing, when he was chest deep he took in a long breath and let himself sink into the water.
"You should be in the Underworld Andolian" she said facing me "Dark magic brought you here"
"You can see me" I confirmed
"Of course I can, I am a woman of great power, I can see the spirits" she looked me up and down "Rahl brought you back to this world" I was unsure whether it was a statement or question. A sickly smile crossed her thin lips, she was enjoying this outcome, enjoyed seeing people suffer
"Is there a way to get back to the living?" I asked taking a cautious step towards her
She let out a short laugh "What? So Richard can kill you over again, because I can promise you" she closed the gap between us "That is what will happen"
"Then at least give them a message" I said through gritted teeth, my anger starting to rear it's head
"And what would you have me relay? Your presence? Your undying love for the Mother Confessor?" she smirked, toying with me
"Listen witch" I growled at her which she did not take to kindly, with a twist of her hand a sharp pain pierced my chest, I gasped for air as it felt as though Richard's blade had pierced me once more.
"How dare you, filthy undead creature, I am the most powerful sorceress in the realm" her eyes were black with magic as my feet buckled under me, I collapsed silently to the floor, after what seemed like an eternity she released me, I coughed looking up at her
"Denna is back and she plans to kill Kahlan" I choked "Please tell them, Rahl has powerful magic and without Zed they are vulnerable" my breathing evened out and I got to my feet
"And whose fault is that they don't have him?"
Guilt made my eyes drop to the floor "I know, please Shota tell them, you don't have to tell them of me but just warn her, please" I begged
At that moment Richard gasped from the water, he shook his head, water droplets spraying everywhere, he climbed from the water quickly donning his shirt, he took deep breaths as he looked at Shota
"Did you find your path Seeker?" she asked already knowing the answer
He nodded shivering, he said nothing as we returned to where Kahlan stood, she looked up at his approach seeing he was soaking wet
"Richard what happened?" she asked worry on her face
"I know what we must do" he replied coldly as he mounted his horse "Thank you Shota"
"Seeker!" Shota called before he had the chance to ride away, both Kahlan and Richard turned, she glanced at me "I have had a vision, the Mord Sith who died on the battlefield has return and she out for blood, the blood of the Mother Confessor" she looked at Kahlan "She will be relentless in her hunt, hear my warning Kahlan Amnell"
I watched Kahlan as she took in Shota's words, her face remained still but in her eyes I saw a flash of fear and also sorrow. I walked up to her wanting to take her hand but I stopped, there was a moment of silence before Richard simply nodded and began to ride off, Kahlan followed and in turn I followed her, I glanced back at Shota, her face stoic as she watched us depart.
"What did she show you?" Kahlan asked when we were clear of Shota's realm, I couldn't see Richard's face but the long pause was evident that he knew Kahlan would not approve of whatever it was.
"Richard?" Kahlan repeated
He exhaled "I had a vision of an item that could aid our quest"
Kahlan could only see his back "And what is this item?"
Richard changed the subject "Maybe we should stop for the night, I am exhausted from the vision" Kahlan agreed, both of us knowing that Richard was keeping secrets.
Richard sat by the fire with me and Kahlan sat opposite him, I couldn't help but watch her fiddle with her fingers, when out of no where she piped up
"Why won't you tell me what it is we are looking for?" her tone was annoyed and she looked across the fire at Richard who ran a hand though his hair, he stood turning his back on her. I saw the hurt in her eyes
"Richard" she began, standing "Talk to me please, tell me what we are looking for"
"What does it matter?" he snapped spinning to face her "Can't you just trust me?"
"No!" she shouted back "Because you're not trusting me Richard"
I stood behind Kahlan, knowing this argument would not end well
"The last time I trusted you Zed was killed by the man you swore to me was a good man, he tricked us, played on your feelings for him and he struck my grandfather down!" Richard yelled back, tears formed in Kahlan's eyes
"That's enough Richard" I said coming between them, but Richard advanced venting all of his grief and anger on Kahlan
"I told you I did not trust him, Zed did not trust him, but you… you convinced us, you always try to see the good in people, but he was a monster"
"ENOUGH!" I shouted I turned my foot swinging at a fallen branch, it flew a few feet into a boulder close by. Both Richard and Kahlan stopped and watched the branch, it took me a minute to realise what I had done. I had kicked an object in the living world, my foot still tingled with the sensation of contact, I turned hoping that maybe they could see me, but both were still staring at the branch
"Kahlan?" I asked walking up to her, hands going to her face, but they faded through, my heart sunk to my feet "Kahlan please… hear me" I whispered. Kahlan moved but she looked pass me at Richard, she swallowed not allowing a single tear to escape.
"Kahlan I'm sorry" Richard muttered, he sat on the floor with his back against a large oak, he closed his eyes and rubbed them, regretting his words. Kahlan turned her gaze back to the branch that to them had magically moved
"Kahlan I am here" I continued, I went to the branch in an attempt to move it again, I tried kicking it, grabbing it. Nothing. It would not move
"Damn it" I raged, frustration taking it's hold on me, Shota the she-witch could see and hear me, but not the one I cared about most, the one I wanted to talk to most. I stood staring at that single branch well into the night, the other two had eventually fallen asleep, neither uttering another word.